Teacher of Year' faces sentencing on sex charge

NEWARK (AP) — A former teacher of the year in Essex County is awaiting sentencing after admitting to a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.

Erica DePalo is due in state Superior Court in Newark on Monday afternoon.

DePalo pleaded guilty in February to child endangerment. She is expected to avoid jail time and instead be subject to lifetime parole supervision.

She also will have to register as a sex offender and forfeit her teacher’s license.

Prosecutors say the 33-year-old Montclair resident had a brief sexual relationship with a student in her honors English class at West Orange High School. She initially was charged with aggravated sexual assault and could have faced up to 10 years in prison if convicted.